Shorthanded D.C. United Draw De Anza Force 0-0

Jul 10, 2010

CARSON, Calif. (July 10) — An early tackle that sent D.C. United’s Tyler Rudy off for the game gave much of the possession but none of the spoils to California’s De Anza Force. Two shots off the crossbar were the closest either team came to scoring in this pitched battle, with United’s defense hanging on to earn one point.

The match began cautiously, with both teams attempting to feel out their opponent without risking too much in the opening group game of Finals Week. De Anza found good possession within large gaps between the D.C lines, but failed to take any real attack into the final third.

In the tenth minute, a hard tackle from behind on Masatoshi Nishizaki by Tyler Rudy changed the complexion of the game. While Nishizaki was unfortunately forced to leave the match due to injury, the red card given to Rudy forced United to change their tactics early on. United made a substitution soon after, bringing on Yaw Amankwa for Collin Martin while De Anza began to pass the ball around to keep possession.

Despite their advantage, a few wide shots from distance were all De Anza could muster until stoppage time of the first half. Receiving a ball down the right sideline near the corner flag, Stefano Bonomo crossed the ball to the far post where a waiting Christian Dean hit a solid half-volley off the bounce. The shot was headed towards goal, but a sprawling Dakota Niedermeier blocked the attempt before the D.C. defense cleared to keep the score level heading into the half.

While De Anza had most of the possession in the first half, much of it was in midfield and they failed to earn a corner until early in the second half. More chances came for the California club however, with Dean firing a left-footed blast from 30 yards along the right side of the field that rattled the crossbar in the 52nd minute. Twelve minutes later, good buildup along the left side saw Bonomo collect a centered ball at the top of the box. The midfielder touched and shot, but his strong attempt was tipped onto the bar by Niedermeier and out for a corner kick.

Despite increased pressure in the closing minutes, it was actually D.C. United that had a chance to steal the win in the closing seconds, earning a free kick deep in De Anza’s half just outside the box on the right. The resulting cross found plenty climbing to head it in, but the attempt went well wide, earning a point for both teams in their first match of Finals Week.